Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thigh-based, groin-based and lateral-thoracic-based flaps are available for microsurgical hand resurfacing - which is the best? METHODS: BestBETS methodology was used to systematically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages. PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched up until Sep 2020, using the search strategy: hand re-surfacing, free-flap, groin-flap, thigh-flap, lateral thoracic-flap, advantages, and disadvantages. RESULTS: Overall, 31 papers were identified which were used to synthesize the discussion and conclusions. CONCLUSION: Thigh-based anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps offer the greatest versatility.